A long, long time ago – around 1897 – just before the turn of the century, my grandfather, Leslie Thayr Lyons (after whom I was named), as a young boy of about 4, was sitting on the lap of his grandfather, E.R. Lyons, a Texas Ranger and long-time cowboy. Matter of fact, I come from a long line of cowboys … but more on that another time. E.R. – or Ed as he was called – was my great-great grandfather.
As they rocked in their chairs on the front porch, watching the sunrise, Leslie looked up at Papa (his name for his grandfather, which has “stuck” for the line of grandfathers that followed) and asked, “Papa, what’s a fairy tale?” Ed pondered the question for a moment, rubbing his chin, and then replied, “Well, boy, that’s an interesting question! Why do you want to know that?” Leslie gazed at him earnestly and explained, “Well, Papa, I’ve heard you and Daddy (William H. [Herff] Lyons – Ed’s son & Leslie’s father) talk about cattle drives and rustlers and varmints and stuff, and I just wondered if those were fairy tales!”
Ed burst into laughter so hearty he nearly spat out his coffee. “Boy, you got a pair of pretty good ears on ya’, because we said some things that weren’t meant for those little ears! But since you asked, let me tell you about Fairy Tales and Texas Tales!”
Ed proceeded to elaborate, “A Fairy Tale is a children's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands. It usually isn’t true, even though some pieces may be based on something that happened a long, long time ago. Now, a Texas Tale, on the other hand, is something that usually is true – at least some of it anyway – and it’s based on things that happened to the teller of the tale, which over the years get ‘embellished’ by adding a few things here and there, at the teller’s option. Some people call them exaggerations, but I like to think of them as interesting additions to an already great story! And besides … we know that everything’s bigger in Texas … that goes for our stories too! So what you were hearing were Texas Tales, not Fairy Tales!”
Leslie absorbed it all and passed it along over the years to his son (my father) William Herff [Bill] Lyons who then shared it with me, Leslie Charles [Les] Lyons.
As you explore the historical section of this site, keep in mind there will be truth (such as what you’ll hear about my great, great grandfather Ed being a Texas Ranger and my great grandfather winning a roping contest in a rodeo in 1900) mixed in with a few “embellishments” to enhance the Texas Tale! I hope you enjoy this adventure. Rest assured that all the information you’ll find on the rest of the site regarding ridin’ with The Outfit down the trail of a long, healthy longevity through Spirit, Mind, and Body is all real stuff, – not embellished – and has been “vetted” as much as the author (yours truly) could, to ensure only what he honestly believes to be true is included here.
WELCOME TO THE OUTFIT! Ride along with us as we share a lot of fun, special, and useful information you can take with you on your journey down the trail and into the sunset of life.
Comments